Thursday, August 19, 2010

After the Britannians failed in their raid on the Asturian outpost, they fell back to their southernmost colonial base. When word came from their scouts that the Asturians had received some Gallian reinforcements and were advancing, the Britannians hastily constructed a defensive line with improvised breastworks and two artillery redoubts.

As in the first game, we used The Sword in the Forest variant of Larry Brom's masterful The Sword and the Flame rules to conduct this battle. The Asturian and Britannian regular infantry were contributed by Doc Ord. The rest of the troops and all the terrain are owned by Col Campbell. The pictures were taken by Col Campbell and Joachim de Arkansas. I would like to thank my church for making the fellowship hall available for our games. As usual, please click on the pictures for a larger image.

The game master, Col Campbell (on right), gives directions to the Britannian commanders (from left): Major Hamilton of the Georgiana militia, Leftenant Colonel Melton of His Britannic Majesty's Army in the Colonies, and Captain Sean Campbell of the Britannian light troops. The Imperial commanders were: Colonel Philip Count Romanski (senior commander), Colonel Baron de la Plata, and that renegade Jacobite Major Juan de Arkansas (all of Asturias) and Major Eduardo, Baron Santiago from Gallia.

The Britannian main line with the militia behind improvised breastworks and Britannian regular infantry and artillery in the main redoubt and in reserve.

A closer view of the militia behind their breastworks.

Britannians in the main redoubt and light infantry, rangers, and another artillery redoubt holding the left flank (background).

The Britannian combined light infantry/ranger company holding the woods on the left flank. A reserve company of rangers is to the rear of the woods.

A closer view of the light infantry and rangers.

The Imperial army advances with the Compagnes de Galliens (under Major Eduardo Baron Santiago) in the foreground and the Asturian artillery and regular infantry (under Count Romanski and baron de la Plata) in the background. Not shown (out of the picture to the bottom) are the Asturian militia and allied Indians (under Major de Arkansas).

The Asturian gun has unlimbered and is preparing to fire on the Britannians. The Asturian "blue-coat" battalion of Count Romanski advances in field column while one of Major Santiago's Gallian companies moves around the small wooded hill.

The Asturian combined battalion of Baron de la Plata on the far left flank begins its turning movement, hoping to roll up the Britannian right flank.

One of the two Gallian companies deploys on the small wooded hill facing the Britannian lines.

The Asturian-Gallian center advances across the cleared ground in front of the Britannian lines. Baron de la Plata's turning movement continues in the background.

The Asturian-Gallian attack in the center develops as the Asturian regulars begin to deploy into line. The Asturian artillery has opened fire on the Georgiana militia (on right) but the Gallian infantry are still out of musket range.

The Asturian "blue-coat" battalion has now deployed into line. They were an impressive sight to the Georgiana militia who were opposing them. Runners were quickly dispatched from the militia requesting reinforcements.

Meanwhile, on the Britannian left flank, the Asturian militia closed on the gun redoubt.
"Load grapeshot!" "Fire!!"
The dice were rolled and five hits were made. The casualty cards were drawn.

And the hits were one militiaman (the nine) and four leaders (the four aces). That's right - four aces!!
This is the first time in a game run by Col Campbell that four aces were drawn in a row for one volley. We were using two 52-card decks shuffled together which is why there are two aces of hearts.

So the senior militia commander (right rear), the militia company commander and company sergeant (back row with red dots), and the Indian chieftain (out of picture to left) were all casualties.

But the Asturian militia, incensed by the slaughters of their leaders, unleashed a devastating volley in return, laying low three of the four Britannian gunners. Revenge is best when it is immediate and hot!!

On the Asturian left flank, Baron de la Plata's battalion has concluded its turning movement and has deployed into line. The red-coated Swiss company is beginning to leap-frog forward to close with the Georgiana militia.

In the center, Count Romanski grimaces as several of his soldiers fall to a well aimed Georgiana militia volley. But he isn't worried. Militia surely can't stand against his veteran regulars.

But the Britannian reserve ranger company is quickly redeployed from the left flank to reinforce the Georgiana milita.

And the Britannian regular reserve company advances with drum beating towards the threatened center.

Even though their chieftain was slain, the Asturian Indian allies move against the Britannian main artillery redoubt, doing their best to distract them from the developing attack in the center. But the Britannian light infantry and rangers in the woods redeploy against them, opening fire into the Indian flank.

And the Britannian infantry and artillery in the main redoubt also open fire on the Asturian allied Indians. This much fire is just too much for the Indians who quickly fall back towards some sheltering woods.

Reinforced by the company of Britannian regulars and the company of rangers, the Georgiana militia companies stiffen up their defense against four companies of Asturian regulars and a company of Gallian light infantry.

The Britannian volleys are accurate and Asturians and Gallians fall before the lead storm. One of Romanski's Asturian company (back left) fails its morale and falls back in confusion. Both of de la Plata's companies close with the Georgiana militia (right background) but can't quite get in with their bayonets.

One of the Gallian companies, having suffered severe casualties including their captain (with red dot in center) is forced to retreat. The battalion commander (Santiago waving his hat) tries to rally them -- unsuccessfully I might add.

The last two Asturian militia face off against the reduced Britannian gun crew (only the gunnery officer and a colonial ranger are left). The militia continued to pass every morale check they had to make. If they are ever reconstituted after this blood-letting, they will probably be upgraded to regulars!

With darkness closing in and the Asturian-Gallian attacks unsuccessful, the Imperial army abandoned the field, falling back to their outpost far to their rear. The Britannians didn't follow-up as they were low on ammunition. They will have to wait for a resupply before they can take to the field again. The Asturians and Gallians took many casualties that will require replacements. Both sides can use the breather.